2 weeks Ago
People are attracted to really extreme health challenges because it acts as a vehicle for rapid self-transformation,” said Dr. Thomas Curran, an associate professor of psychology at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Then some life changes, such as a breakup or health scare, occur and bam — we should be someone completely new, and fast. Social media inflames the fire, displaying perfectionized versions of health that are frequently unattainable.
The Horror of Perfect Wellness
Most are pursuing some version of themselves that we see looks perfect on the outside — from our bodies to our brains. But in the pursuit of these ideal worshipers, Dr. Curran cautions, we can set up a cycle of comparison and disappointment. Once people are unable to meet these unrealistic expectations, they may feel incompetent or defeated. Women feel this pressure particularly acutely as they are bombarded with unattainable beauty ideals and societal standards.
Renee McGregor, a dietitian based in the UK who works with people who have eating disorders and with athletes, warns against the fast growth of “health wellness trends”. She recommends assessing the motivation behind wellness advice — in this case motivational, since influencers have financial motivations. McGregor advises questioning the motivation of the advice giver: “What does the person providing this advice get from it?”
Other than that, if you’re thinking of embracing a fresh wellness trend, McGregor suggests doing your due diligence, hearing other opinions and consulting health professionals if you can.
Reframe Adversity with the Right Response
For the challenge-lovers among you, McGregor recommends making sure your motivation comes from loving your own body and taking care of yourself, not needing others to like you. Decide whether you really will be that much better off for having done the challenge or whether you just want to post all about it on social.
Also its essential to be aware of your physical condition before embarking high intensity challenges. For instance, if you’re preparing to run a 5K then adding in longer runs as well as strength can offer a more balanced approach. For larger, more advanced goals, such as running a marathon, she encourages working with a coach or health provider to make sure you are safely progressing.
How to Live Healthy for Life
And McGregor and Curran are careful to emphasize the importance of being easy on yourself and doing things in a way that is sustainable and realistic, rather than going completely extreme. Instead of fixating on becoming “healthy,” McGregor recommends setting daily “healthy” acts instead. These comprise eating vegetables all day, opting for whole grains at meals and snacking on a handful of nuts for brain and physical health.
She laments these simple approaches against faddish, less effective crazes, such as drinking two or more juices per day that are unlikely to provide long-lasting benefits.
In the end, wellbeing should be a joy and not based on appearance or numbers on a scale. McGregor discusses the value of putting mental health first and not falling into the trap of “keeping up with the Joneses.” “The healthiest thing we can do sometimes is just be present and accept where we are,″ she saysq.
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